A.M. Sheehan

asheehan@journalscene.com

Cpt. Tripp Mobley, Summerville Fire Department’s new public education/assistant training officer, has a bunch of ideas and a lot of enthusiasm.

He began his new position March 17 and he is already planning to promote public education throughout Summerville.

SFD already has a smoke detector program, but Mobley wants to make sure everyone knows about it.

“Summerville Fire will provide free checks of existing smoke detectors and free smoke detectors if there are none is homes,” he said. “We will change batteries for a resident or do whatever needs doing. The only stipulation is that they live in the town of Summerville.”

Mobley plans on visiting every school in the SFD coverage area to talk with children about fire safety. SFD has a fire “house” that helps children learn how to feel a door for heat before opening it, how to crawl to safety and how to go out a window. The house is set up with a child’s bedroom and a kitchen area. Using the acronym EDITH – Exit Drills In The Home – he can teach children to design a plan, pick a place to meet and exit safely.

A brand new educational self-help project Mobley is excited about is the Vial-of-Life. Although this has been around for a while, Mobley doesn’t think many know about it.

The Vial-of-Life is literally a small plastic pill-type bottle, which is always stored in the refrigerator, and contains a person’s medical history, list of meds and allergies. EMS know to look for it when responding to a call. This can save valuable time in treatment if medical personnel immediately have this information. Often EMS personnel try to gather up meds they can see and take them with the patient to the hospital. This method is not foolproof.

The Vial, which is free, if kept up to date, will ensure a patients’ medical team knows what it needs to know.

A Third Thursday booth would also be a point for handing out Vial-of-Life bottles, making appointments to check and/or install smoke detectors or car seats, he continues.

Mobley is also taking over the public safety event planning responsibility. He will be in charge of such events as the annual fire safety parade that culminates at Lowe’s with a big festival.

Further, anyone wanting a fire truck at their event or a station tour should now contact Mobley.

“I am really excited to be doing this,” he grins. “We have a lot going on.”

Mobley will no longer be working the 24/48 shifts, which, he says, he doesn’t mind because it gives him more time with his wife and kids. “But I will miss being on the truck with the guys,” he says. Mobley was on the B shift at Station 1, Engine 1.

Comments

Notice about comments:

The Journal Scene is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Journal Scene.

If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.